Laminated sleeve for a container

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a laminated sleeve for use with a container and a method for manufacturing the same. The laminated sleeve comprises a plurality of layers, wherein at least one layer is a thermal insulating layer and at least one other layer is a graphic objects display layer suitable for printing at least one graphic object thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the graphic objects display layer comprises a paper product.  
     According to the present invention, because the graphic objects display layer is a paper material, small printing runs can be performed easily using conventional paper printing techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art. The laminated sleeve of the present invention, therefore, is cost effective for small and large printing runs, durable, compact, and possesses superior thermal insulation properties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending patent application entitled INSULATING SLEEVE FOR GRASPING CONTAINER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD (Ser. No. 10/271,810), filed on Oct. 15, 2002, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a holder for use with a container and more particularly to a laminated container holder that protects a user's hand from exposure to extreme temperatures due to the temperature of the container contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Glass, plastic or paper containers are frequently used to hold hot or cold liquids, such as coffee, soup, or soda. These containers are inexpensive and generally can withstand the extreme temperatures of their contents. While such containers offer many benefits, there are drawbacks. One such drawback is glass, paper and plastic do not possess thermal insulation properties. Consequently, the temperature of the container itself often approaches the temperature of the container's contents. This is problematic because the temperature of freshly brewed coffee or tea typically exceeds 180° F. Rare is a coffee drinker who has not grimaced in pain after unwittingly picking up a cup of fresh coffee.

[0004] To address this problem, holders have been devised which encircle the outside surface of the container. These holders, referred to also as sleeves, are typically made of materials that offer some degree of thermal insulation. When placed around the container, the sleeve's temperature should be less extreme than the container's temperature. Ideally, the sleeve's temperature is such that the user can comfortably hold the container.

[0005] Conventional sleeves are made of corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard sleeves are inexpensive and easily manufactured. They also offer an ideal surface for printing graphic objects, such as advertisements or the like. Nevertheless, such sleeves do not offer adequate thermal insulation unless the sleeves are relatively thick. Thick corrugated cardboard sleeves are less than ideal because they may be difficult to package in bulk (i.e., they do not fold well and they do not fold flat) and they can be difficult to use. Furthermore, cardboard sleeves are not resilient because they tend to disintegrate in water and can tear during use or after only a few uses.

[0006] These problems are addressed in the co-pending patent application entitled, Insulating Sleeve for Grasping Container and Manufacturing Method (Ser. No. 10/271,810), filed on Oct. 15, 2002 and herein incorporated by reference. In that reference, an insulating sleeve is made from two layers of polymer material. The first layer is made of a first polymer material that is suitable for receiving printed graphic objects, such as company logos or advertisements. The second layer is made of a second polymer material that exhibits excellent thermal insulation properties and functions primarily as the thermal insulating layer. The two layers are laminated to one another to form the sleeve, whereby the second insulating layer is in thermal contact with the container and the graphic objects on the first layer are visible to a user. By utilizing polymer materials to form the sleeve, the sleeve is impervious to moisture and therefore more resilient than sleeves made from cardboard. In addition, the overall thickness of the sleeve is minimal (approximately 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm), making it compactable and easily stored in bulk.

[0007] While the above described polymer material sleeve provides many advantages, including durability and compactness, it has been found that providing printed graphics on the first polymer layer is relatively expensive unless a large printing run is executed. Small printing runs (on the order of a few thousand) are not cost effective because of the preparation required for printing on the first polymer layer. This can be problematic for advertisers or customers who want their messages printed on the sleeve, but do not necessarily want hundreds of thousands of sleeve products.

[0008] Accordingly, a need exists for an opaque polymer material sleeve for a container that displays printed graphics on the sleeve. The sleeve should be cost effective for small and large printing runs. The sleeve should also exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties and should be durable. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A laminated sleeve for a container and a method for manufacturing the same is disclosed. The laminated sleeve comprises a plurality of layers, wherein at least one layer is a thermal insulating layer and at least one other layer is a graphic objects display layer suitable for printing at least one graphic object thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the graphic objects display layer comprises a paper product.

[0010] According to the present invention, because the graphic objects display layer is a paper material, small printing runs can be performed easily using conventional printing techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art. The laminated sleeve of the present invention, therefore, is cost effective for small and large printing runs, durable, compact, and possesses superior thermal insulation properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when placed around a container.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when folded for packing.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process for manufacturing the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a diagram of a sleeve pattern after it has been cut from a laminated sheet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention relates to a holder for use with a container and more particularly to a laminated container holder. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, while the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated being utilized for a cup, those skilled in the art would readily recognize that the present invention could also be used for any type of container, such as a soup bowl or canister. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when placed around a container. A typical container 1, in this case a cup, is shown with a sleeve 10, engaged over the outside of the cup 1. The sleeve 10 has an upper end 20 and a lower end 30. The upper end 20 fits around an upper part of a container, as shown fitting around the upper part of the cup 1. The lower end 30 fits around the lower part of a container, as shown fitting around the lower part of the cup 1. Graphic objects 40, referred to also as indicia, are printed on the sleeve 10 to display any type of graphic object 40 or color on the sleeve 10 for a range of purposes such as advertisement.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the sleeve 10 when folded for packing. As shown, the graphic object 40 may be displayed on the sleeve 10 in any fashion and position. The embodiment shows two edges, a first edge 50 and a second edge 60 which may be pressed inwardly toward the center of the sleeve 10 to open the sleeve 10 in a position ready to receive a cup 1 or other container. The embodiment further shows how the upper end 20 may have an upper end diameter that is larger than its lower end 30 diameter so that the sleeve 10 fits securely around a cup-shaped or conical shaped container.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As is shown, the sleeve 100 is comprised of at least two layers, at least one of which is an insulating layer 110 and at least another one of which is a graphic objects display layer 120. For the sake of clarity, only two layers are illustrated in FIG. 3 and their relative thicknesses are not to scale.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the graphic objects display layer 120 is a paper product onto which graphic objects (not shown) may be readily and easily disposed using any number of well known printing techniques. The insulating layer 110 is preferably comprised of a polymer material that possesses thermal insulation properties, such as, but not limited to, a low density polyethylene foam or expanded polyethylene foam. As is shown, the layers 110, 120 are laminated together to form a sheet out of which the sleeve 100 is produced.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an outer first layer 120 is provided with a textured surface 130. Such textured surface may be created using a conventional press technique and result in a variety of textured designs or patterns, such as a square pattern. This textured surface enhances the user's comfort in gripping the sleeve 100, as well as the appearance of the sleeve 100.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process for manufacturing the sleeve 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The process begins, in step 210, by printing graphic objects 40 onto the graphic objects display layer 120. This step may be performed using any number of conventional printing techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art. The graphic objects 40 may include different colors and shapes and forms, as well as text and the like.

[0023] Next, in step 220, the graphic objects display layer 120 is attached to one or more layers, including the at least one insulating layer 110 to form a sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the layers are attached via an adhesive. The layers are then laminated to one another, preferably using a dry laminating machine.

[0024] In step 230, a sleeve pattern is cut from the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet is cut using a die cutting machine. The size and shape of the sleeve pattern will depend on the type of container for which the sleeve 100 is intended. FIG. 5 is an exemplary sleeve pattern 300 after it has been cut from the laminated sheet.

[0025] Finally, in step 240, the sleeve pattern 300 is folded and assembled into the final product. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve is assembled by folding the sleeve pattern 300 along designated fold lines 310 and sealing the ends 320 together. The joining of the two ends 320 may be accomplished using an adhesive, or any other conventional sealing technique known to those skilled in the art. The final assembly step includes flattening the assembled sleeve so that it is ready for packing.

[0026] Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A laminated sleeve for use with a container, the sleeve comprising: a plurality of layers, wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers is a thermal insulating layer, and at least one other layer of the plurality of layers is a graphic objects display layer suitable for printing at least one graphic object thereon.
 2. The laminated sleeve of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal insulating layer comprises one of a foam material, a polymer material, a low density polyethylene material and an expanded polyethylene foam material.
 3. The laminated sleeve of claim 1, wherein the at least one graphic objects display layer comprises a paper product.
 4. The laminated sleeve of claim 3, wherein the at least one graphic objects display layer is disposed above the at least one thermal insulating layer, such that the at least one printed graphic object is viewable when the laminated sleeve is utilized with the container.
 5. The laminated sleeve of claim 1, wherein an outermost layer of the plurality of layers includes indentations to create a texture, thereby enhancing a user's ability to grip the container.
 6. A laminated sleeve for use with a container, the sleeve comprising: a plurality of layers, wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers is a thermal insulating layer comprising one of a foam material, a polymer material, a low density polyethylene material and an expanded polyethylene foam material, and at least one other layer of the plurality of layers is a paper product layer suitable for printing at least one graphic object thereon.
 7. A method for manufacturing a laminated sleeve for use with a container comprising the steps of: a) providing a graphic objects display layer; b) transferring at least one graphic object onto the graphic objects display layer; c) providing at least one thermal insulating layer; d) overlaying the graphic objects display layer onto the at least one thermal insulating layer to form a sheet; e) cutting at least one sleeve pattern from the sheet; and f) folding and assembling the sleeve pattern to form the laminated sleeve.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transferring step (b) includes printing the at least one graphic object onto the graphic objects display layer.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the overlaying step (d) includes the steps of: (d1) applying an adhesive to either one of the graphics objects display layer or the at least one thermal insulating layer; and (d2) laminating the graphic objects display layer to the at least one thermal insulating layer.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the cutting step (e) includes die cutting the sheet into a plurality of sleeve patterns.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the at least one sleeve patterns cut from the sheet includes two opposing ends.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the folding and assembling step (f) includes: (f1) folding each sleeve pattern along at least one designated fold line on the sleeve pattern, such that the two opposing ends meet; (f2) attaching the two opposing ends of the sleeve pattern to one another; and (f3) flattening the sleeve for packing. 